FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas – Texas State Associate Head Coach
Tanner Burns was named one of 63 coaches as a nominee for the 2025 Broyles Award, which honors college football's top assistant coaches. Burns joins candidates honored from approximately 1,500 assistant coaches representing 131 FBS programs.
Burns, who serves as the team's Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Assistant, is in his first season with the Bobcats after stints at Auburn, Liberty and Arkansas, among other stops.
On special teams, Burns has mentored
Jaylen Jenkins to top-20 national rankings in combined kick returns (16th, 483) and kick returns (18th, 24.2).
Tyler Robles also ranks No. 19 in field goal percentage and No. 21 in scoring and set the TXST single-season field goal record. Robles is also No. 2 all-time at TXST with 19 FG attempts this season and in the top 10 for PATs made and attempted.
Burns and the Bobcats host South Alabama for Senior Day on Saturday aiming for a third straight season of bowl eligibility.
Since its founding, the Broyles Award has honored 29 winners and more than 100 finalists, including some of the biggest names in college football coaching history such as Steve Sarkisian, Lane Kiffin, Kirby Smart, Lincoln Riley, Dan Lanning, and Gus Malzahn. The 2024 Broyles Award winner was Al Golden, defensive coordinator at Notre Dame.
The Broyles Award winner will be announced live at the 30th Annual Broyles Award Ceremony on February 12, 2026, at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
The selection committee is made of former hall of fame coaches, members of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), and legendary broadcasters. The selection committee will vote to advance 15 semifinalists, five finalists, and one overall winner.
New for 2025
For the first time in the 30 year history of the Broyles Award, fans across America will have a direct voice in deciding which assistant coaches advance to the semifinalist round, finalist round, and ultimately who wins the award.
The Broyles Award Fan Vote launches today, Tuesday, November 25th at noon CST. Fans can cast votes for their favorite nominees throughout each stage of the competition. Each individual fan vote counts toward one collective "fan vote" in the official selection process of each round. Each vote is also an entry to win two VIP passes to the 30th Annual Broyles Award Ceremony.
Fan Voting Schedule:
Semifinal Fan Vote: November 25 at noon CST through November 30 at 11 PM CST
Finalist Fan Vote: December 2 at noon CST through December 7 at 11 PM CST
Winner Fan Vote: January 20 at noon CST through January 26 at 11 PM CST
Fans can vote at BroylesAward.com/Vote.
